The timing of a request by a developer who wanted an exception to rules governing the size of houses in Park Ridge could not have come at a worse time than Tuesday night.
Citing a reluctance to change zoning rules to favor one developer, the city’s Procedures and Regulations Committee rejected a request by Cambridge Homes to be allowed to build larger houses on smaller lots.
The city is in the midst of a contentious zoning flap sparked by a teardown trend in which small homes are replaced by larger homes on the same lots. Committee members said they could not justify the request from Cambridge Homes before resolving the larger issues involved.
Moreover, committee members said, changing the ordinance wouldn’t be fair to the scores of Park Ridge homeowners who have sought exemptions over the years and been denied. This echoed the sentiments of roughly 20 residents who attended.
A chorus of community members opposed changing the law to accommodate roughly 17 of the 58 lots planned for the former Edison Park Home property.
Those 17 lots are generally smaller than the others and face busy Canfield Road.
Thomas Koenig, director of planning and zoning for Cambridge, said the developer has worked within strict city guidelines on appearance and engineering to obtain the necessary approvals.
Still, committee members agreed that such a drastic change would be “inappropriate” in light of discussion on preserving the character of established neighborhoods.
Koenig said he would continue to work within the city’s guidelines to develop a plan that is acceptable to the city.
However, he said, those plans will not include a decrease in the number of planned lots, as some opponents suggested.
